TeaMarrr

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The healing properties of tea have been well documented throughout history in countless books, poems, and artifacts. In fact, its power borders on mystical. In similar fashion, Boston-born and Los Angeles-based Haitian-American artist TeaMarrr unlocks such healing by penning songs. Clutching a signature teacup and coloring her hair to reflect wisdom, she emerges as something of a 21st century sage on her first full-length album for Position Music, Tea Turns To Wine. She exclaims, ... [ more ]The healing properties of tea have been well documented throughout history in countless books, poems, and artifacts.
In fact, its power borders on mystical.
In similar fashion, Boston-born and Los Angeles-based Haitian-American artist TeaMarrr unlocks such healing by penning songs. Clutching a signature teacup and coloring her hair to reflect wisdom, she emerges as something of a 21st century sage on her first full-length album for Position Music, Tea Turns To Wine.

She exclaims, “I’m a Haitian girl in a crazy world. I’m trying to cry less and sing more, because music makes me feel good. My art does just what a cup of tea can do for you. Whether it’s hot or cold, I want people to feel good. My name is an acronym for—Totally Enthused About Making Really Really Raw—music, art, fashion, or anything. Whatever it is, it has to be raw. That’s my Tea!”

Growing up in a strict religious family, she dove into creating a world of her own at a young age. Restricted from watching television Monday through Friday, adhering to a rigorous dress code, and attending church three days per week, she expanded her imagination by doodling in a journal and writing down “a plan for life.” Inspired by everyone from Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, and Big Maybelle, the budding creative only let it slip that she could sing once or twice in church. During college, she developed a fascination for video editing, cutting together thematic videos of her lip-synching to favorite tunes. In 2015, she started singing for real. On a trip to Toronto with a model friend, TeaMarrr randomly freestyled to Shook Ones. Impressed, friends encouraged her to hit the studio.

Her 2017 debut EP, Thanks for the Chapstick slowly but surely generated a buzz, cracking 500K cumulative Spotify streams and earning early acclaim from ThisIsRnB, COLORS, and more. Meanwhile, her first 2018 release “Bent Hella” surpassed 131K Spotify streams in a three months’ time as she relocated to Los Angeles and crafted what would become, Tea Turns To Wine with producer Kareem James [Kiana Ledé].

“Wine is a giant revolution to me,” she explains. “I’m owning my pain, recognizing everything, and growing out of what hurt me. I don’t want to be a crybaby over boys anymore. My stuff became so much more magical in the sense that I finally know who I am. You could say I’ve matured from tea to wine. The title is literal in the sense that I’d turn to a bottle of wine throughout making the project,” she laughs.

She introduces this chapter with the sassy stomp of the single “One Job.” Propelled by finger-snaps and an acoustic bass groove, her theatrical delivery swings from confessional bars into a show-stopping hook. The storytelling veers between raw and riotous as she sings, “Dry your eyes, the fuck you cryin’ for? Where’s your spine? You ain’t got that no more? The dick is fire. That’s what I signed up for, but after all this time you’re so damn insecure.”

“There’s an element of female empowerment, and ‘One Job’ kick started everything. When I was writing it, my friend was going through some mental domestic abuse with her man at the time. He was so trash. I transferred that energy. At the same time, my one job is to prove myself as a songwriter and a singer, which I did here.”

Elsewhere, “Whory Heart” takes dead aim at a cheating paramour with its rapid-fire cadence. On the other end of the spectrum, “No Ways” highlights the expanse of her jaw-dropping vocal range as it crescendos on the hypnotic hook.

The music mirrors TeaMarrr’s own unpredictability. She explains the ever-changing gray streaks often symbolizes “wisdom” and “feeling invincible,” while she carries teacups until they break. “Each broken teacup marks a new beginning. I stopped freaking out after the first cup broke because a plethora of blessings usually follow,” TeaMarrr says.

In the end, she’s just beginning to make an impact herself.

“My music can be like actual medicine,” TeaMarrr leaves off. “That’s the ultimate goal: to help musically medicate lost souls.” [ less ]&nbsp